headyversion

find the best versions of grateful dead songs

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Carrion_Crow

Stealth Head

+48136


Submissions

10
Big Railroad Blues
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Utterly gobsmacked that this ain't here yet: It's a furious barnburner. Full of get up and go.
15
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

A more rocking version than others from the time, and oddly overlooked. Jumps off Cat right away into the long transition. Energetic stuff here.
13
Black Throated Wind
May 23, 1972
Strand Lyceum

Is there a single one from '72 that doesn't end in triumph? This song just got better and better throughout Europe. Surprised this wasn't here yet.
11
Sugar Magnolia
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Perfect musical sunshine. This one even got my not-at-all-into-the-Dead wife to dance around like a trippin' hippy, so you know it's good.
13
Truckin'
May 13, 1972
Lille Fairgrounds

Unforgivable that you guys overlook Truckin'. There's a reason it's the one song non-heads know. This one is a forgotten colossus. Listen up.
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Comments

Dark Star
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

Back here for more. It's really that good. After nearly 40 minutes of creating whole cosmos out of the air it almost sounds like they might land back into Playin' then maybe back into Dark Star melody for the second chorus, then into that beautiful Wharf Rat. Like a spinning twenty-sided die it could have landed anywhere, perfectly. G'damn, but this one deserves its spot on the front page.
Truckin'
April 24, 1972
Rheinhalle

When they open a show like this you just know you're in for something special. They are so tight from the jump, everyone in perfect sync, Jerry and Phil in perfect co-soloing mind-meld with Keith a bright comet overhead. Even the vocals are beautiful. Honest here, we chronically overlook Truckin' as heads, but I think it's ALWAYS (1970-1995) the best measure of how on they were for any given show. This one is just exactly perfect.
Dark Star
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

A long twisting story filled with beautiful forking paths. Jerry is an inspired lyricist, fluttering just out of reach like a thousand moths in moonlight.
Playin' In The Band
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

Agreed that this is pretty mellow next to the sustained firepower of the colossal August - November Playin' marathon after Europe. It's honestly an embarrassment of riches, (shout out to the August Berkeley shows for being chronically under appreciated), but I find something special in this one because it has elements that almost sound more like the electric Miles Davis-infused 1974 sound.
Black Throated Wind
Sept. 27, 1972
Stanley Theatre

This starts so calm and sane and soulful, then does that ramping-up thing and becomes a manic hurtling 18-wheeler. '72 may be the best year for BTW and this one is right up there with 'em.
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